30 September 2015

Sail training ship Le Quy Don of the Vietnamese navy (photos : marineprojects)According to Marinetraffic information , sail training ship of the Vietnamese Navy "Le Quy Don" has left Poland on way home.Currently sailing ship Le Quy Don are off the coast of Norway. Expected immediate destination of the ship is in the port of Las Palmas Sail (Spain), sailor crew rested briefly, then will proceed to Nha Trang City.Average cruising speed of the ship is currently sailing at 11 knots/h, a little slower than the RollDock ship carrying Kilo submarines for Vietnam to handover. Thus, more than a month.

Reportedly, the ship was named scholar Le Quy Don, designed by CHOREN Ship Design & Consulting of Poland.The vessel was started built at Marine Projects shipyard of Poland on 07.02.2014, launch on 06.01.2015 and in November expected comissioned for the Naval Academy in Nha Trang.The sailing ship Le Quy Don will join to the Naval Academy, later grades students will be trained and practices the method seafaring, navigation, etc from the basics.(Soha)

Terrex 8x8 (photo : naval technology)Team Sentinel, primed by Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA), has put forward their SENTINEL II platform in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s Land 400 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability (MCRC) request for tender.The SENTINEL II is an integrated combination of the in-service Singapore Technologies Kinetics TERREX 8X8, the in-production Elbit Land System’s MT30 turret, and a networked combat system forming the next generation generation of the Australian Army’s current Battle Management System.“The SENTINEL II is optimised for mounted close combat with the capability and capacity to meet emerging and future threats. It is a highly protected, lethal and flexible combat reconnaissance platform with a battle proven networked combat system at its core,” Dan Webster, Managing Director of ELSA said.Named after the first Australian built armoured fighting vehicle, the SENTINEL II will be manufactured and supported in Australia by a team of Australian partners with proven experience in advanced manufacturing capability and delivery. Team Sentinel has plans to produce and further develop the SENTINEL II in Australia, ensuring ongoing sustainment and growth of Australian defence technology skills and capability.Webster said the team recognises the long term value and benefits of a locally made solution for the Land 400 program and was committed to manufacturing and maintaining the entire SENTINEL II capability in Australia."The intellectual property for the vehicle and the turret will be held and licensed in Australia and all of the complex systems integration will be conducted locally,” he said.The Geelong region has been selected as the home of Team Sentinel where the turret will be manufactured and the bulk of the systems integration; testing and final assembly of the SENTINEL II will be undertaken. Burnie, in Tasmania, will also play a very important role as the major manufacturing site for the base platform. These activities will also be supported by a substantially Australian supply chain.One of Team Sentinel’s major partners, The Elphinstone Group are set to provide manufacturing and systems integration services from Tasmania."Elphinstone and Caterpillar have manufactured over 5000 underground mining vehicles in Burnie over the past 40 years and will use the existing facilities and expertise,” said Chairman, Dale Elphinstone.Confirming they will locate their SENTINEL II turret production facilities in Geelong once the team is short listed, Allan Platt from WE Platt, another partner in the team, said "Geelong has the right resources and skills to support the competitive production of the MT30 turret".(Australian Defence)

As Indo-Pacific nations build up their naval power, submarines, cruise missiles, aircraft carriers, jets, and frigates get the most attention. However, an underreported but significant regional trend over the last five years is widespread interest in amphibious capabilities.
Japan and Australia have created rudimentary amphibious forces, and New Zealand is working to develop one. Malaysia has publicly stated it wants a Marine Corps and even the small, remote Maldives has established a Marine Corps.
Apart from this, Asia also already has a number of Marine Corps or amphibious-capable ground forces. The ROK Marine Corps is one of the oldest and most capable, though largely tied to the Korean peninsula. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has a large Marine Corps, and as the PRC pursues its territorial expansion strategies it understands the value of amphibious forces and is rapidly building new amphibious ships.

HTMS Sichang 721, Normed PS 700 class LST, 4.520 tonnes displacement, made by Italthai Marine and Bangkok Dock (photo : mdc)
The Indonesian Marine Corps is expanding, while the Philippine Marines are working to upgrade their force. India has amphibious-capable forces, even though they lack adequate funding and focus, and Singapore is looking to improve its amphibious capabilities. Bucking the trend, the competent Taiwan Marines have been pared down in recent years – to the point where they may eventually be ineffective.
The Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) has a long history and can conduct amphibious operations. It has performed superbly in the south against separatist insurgents, and made important contributions to winning the nearly 30-year long Communist insurgency. However, the RTMC can make even greater contributions to Thailand’s national security and to regional security as well. The RTMC is indeed a neglected strategic asset, but to understand why, one first must understand why amphibious capabilities are important.

The Thailand Case
As much as any country in Asia, Thailand needs an amphibious capability of the sort provided by the RTMC and Royal Thai Navy (RTN). A 2,800 km coastline cries out for such an amphibious force. But beyond a long and vulnerable coastline, Thailand has maritime interests such as offshore oil platforms, fisheries, and sovereignty to protect in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The RTMC is a 20,000-Marine force operating as part of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). Despite being heavily involved in ground operations in southern Thailand against separatist insurgents, the RTMC maintains an amphibious capability centered on a 2,400 Marine amphibious unit. It is able to conduct simple company-sized landings using LCUs and AAVs, rubber boats, and helicopters launched from RTN amphibious ships.

RTN operates 2 Marsun M-55 class LCU, 550 tonnes displacement, made by Marsun Shipbuilding (photo : shipbucket)
Although RTMC has a close relationship with the Royal Thai Navy, priorities differ. Most importantly, while amphibious operations are RTMC’s highest priority, the RTN focuses more on combatant ships, missiles, submarines, and anti-submarine warfare. These divergent priorities manifest themselves in budget allocations, and not surprisingly, RTMC is chronically short of funds.

This is a particular issue when it comes to AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) – the backbone of RTMC ship-to-shore amphibious capability. These aging vehicles require constant upkeep, which requires money, and also need regular training with RTN ships to use efficiently – which also costs money.

The Thai Marines have a good internal amphibious training scheme and send officers to U.S. Marine Corps schools in the United States. The two services also train together at the Cobra Gold and CARAT amphibious exercises each year.

RTN operates 3 Mannok class LCU, 550 tonnes displacement, made by Silkline International - Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) Joint Venture (photo : defense arab)
The RTMC resembles the U.S. Marines in many respects, but unlike the USMC it lacks its own aviation element and depends on RTN and Royal Thai Air Force to provide helicopter and other air support. This is a shortcoming, as aviation is particularly important in amphibious operations because it expands range and options for moving troops and equipment to/from shore beyond what boats and other watercraft can provide.

When assessing the Royal Thai Marine Corps strengths and weakness, it is important to also take a broader view and consider how RTMC and its amphibious capability fit into Thailand’s entire national security structure.
Properly considered, RTMC is an integral part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces overall capability. The Thai Marines give the historic steward of Thailand’s national defense (the Royal Thai Army) a more capable total force that can handle all contingencies – particularly those requiring operations at sea and ashore.

RTN operates 4 Thongkaeo class LCU, 396 tonnes dispacement , made by Bangkok Dock (photo : Stephane Barbedienne)
As a yardstick, one might fairly ask how well the Thai Armed Forces would respond to another major tsunami or typhoon in southern Thailand or the Andamans, or to a threat to Thailand’s islands or gas facilities in the Gulf of Thailand. Would the current Thai amphibious capability be sufficient to achieve success? If not, what would be the political impact on the current government? A fast, effective response enhances the armed forces’ image as evidenced by the praise the Royal Thai Armed Forces received from the Thai public during the 2011 floods. A fumbled response has the opposite effect.Policy Recommendations
Based on my 30 years of Marine Corps experience and familiarity with a number of Marine Corps and amphibious forces in the Asia/Pacific region, I believe the RTMC/RTN has the expertise and hardware – amphibious ships, LCUs, AAVs – to conduct amphibious operations at the basic level that Thailand’s leaders currently require. However, to achieve a more effective capability, the following might be considered:

First, have RTMC and RTN conduct regular and more realistic amphibious training, including: planning, logistics, intelligence, communications, aviation operations, and maneuver and operations once ashore. The more one practices amphibious operations, the more one improves. And realistic training is most important. Avoid the “staged landings” that are done leisurely and according to a prepared script for VIP observers. These do little to improve capability.

RTMC operates 36 AAV-7A1APC, variants include: AAVP-7A1, AAVC-7A1, AAVR-7A1.(photo : RTMC)
Second, expand RTMC capabilities to at least a battalion-sized landing capability. A company (about 200 Marines) is too few Marines to do much once ashore – even in an HA/DR environment, much less in combat.
Third, spend the money necessary to keep Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) operating. The technology may be decades old, but AAVs remain useful for ship-to-shore movement and operating in difficult terrain ashore. RTMC AAVs have proved their worth responding to flooding in Thailand. Also, during serious flooding in Taiwan in 2009, the Taiwan Marine Corps’ AAVs were the only vehicles able to access large parts of the flooded regions.
Fourth, create a Thai “MEU/ARG” by organizing Thai Marines and Thai Navy amphibious ships into a permanent task force – and then use it. Besides conducting domestic operations, participate with regional partners in training, exercises, and real world operations – especially HA/DR contingencies that routinely occur. Also, if Malaysia’s proposed ASEAN Ready Group gains momentum, the RTMC/RTN has a useful role to play. Importantly, a MEU/ARG need not have three amphibious ships like the US. One is enough – although two or three modern amphibious ships are desirable in Thailand’s case.

Some source said RTMC also operates 12 BTR-3E1APC and 24 V-150 Commando (photo : pantip)
Fifth, establish a RTMC aviation support capability. Air operations are an essential part of amphibious operations. RTMC should develop an air component – either internally in the RTMC, or using Royal Thai Navy, Air Force, or Army aircraft that are permanently attached to the RTMC. Being able to smoothly integrate air operations into amphibious operations expands capabilities and improves overall competence.
Sixth and finally, enhance longstanding ties with U.S. Marines by assigning a RTMC Liaison officer at Marine Forces Pacific Headquarters in Honolulu, and assign a US Marine officer to the Royal Thai Marine Corps. There is no substitute for continuous personal interaction.
Some of these recommendations require more money to accomplish while others just need existing assets reorganized. However, all of them require recognition at the highest levels of the Royal Thai Armed Forces of the national benefits to be gained from a RTMC able to conduct effective amphibious operations.

The Royal Thai Marine Corps is already a capable force, but it has the potential to be a strategic-level national asset in support of Thailand’s national security. By implementing these recommendations, the benefits will go beyond the RTMC itself. Improving RTMC and RTN amphibious capability in turn bolsters the Royal Thai Armed Forces’ overall ability to defend the nation’s sovereignty, protect its citizens, and engage with regional neighbors. As important, as ASEAN works towards economic integration and takes further steps towards defense and security cooperation, Thailand’s enhanced amphibious capability will allow it to visibly contribute to ASEAN security – with the political benefits that accrue to Thailand from such activities.See full article The Diplomat

29 September 2015

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed the first fuel transfer with the air refuelling boom from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to a US Air Force (USAF) F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California. A total of 59 contacts were conducted of which five contacts transferred 43,200 pounds of fuel during the four hour sortie.

Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies AO CSC, described the trial as a significant step in the development of the KC-30A’s capability.

“Refuelling between the KC-30A and F-35A is an important step towards the KC-30A’s achievement of Final Operational Capability (FOC) and represents continued progress in the development of the F‑35A.

“This achievement is significant because the future of Australia’s air combat capability is reliant on the successful partnership between these two aircraft and our ability to be interoperable with our international partners,” Air Marshal Davies said.The KC-30A has two refuelling systems – the hose-and-drogue and Advanced Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). The two different refuelling systems allow RAAF to support a wide range of coalition aircraft on Operation OKRA where a KC-30A is currently deployed to support combat operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

The five KC-30As are based at RAAF Base Amberley (QLD) and Air Force will receive an additional two in 2018. A single KC-30A can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes and remain 1800 kilometres from its home base with 50 tonnes of fuel available for offload, for four hours.

Australia has committed to 72 F-35As for RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal, with the first aircraft arriving in late 2018. The F-35A will replace the ageing F/A-18A/B Hornet with a 5th-generation networked fighter aircraft.(Aus DoD)

Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (image : GoogleMaps)PORT DICKSON (Bernama) -- The construction of the new airbase for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in Sendayan, Seremban is now being actively carried out and so far, 40 per cent of the project has been developed.Air Force chief General Tan Sri Roslan Saad said according to the plan, the new air base was expected to be fully completed by the end of 2016 and operations would begin early the following year."The airbase, covering 303 hectares, would accommodate 1,500 personnel. The RMAF would make the base as a training centre and emplace all training units at all airbases throughout the country in one location only."The new air base is to replace the existing base in Sungai Besi," he said at a media conference after a parade at the Army Basic Training Centre, here MondayAlso present were the Joint Forces Commander Lt Gen Datuk Baharom Hamzah, Army Training Commander Maj Gen Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zuki and Assistant Chief of Staff MK TL Exercise Operations Rear Admiral Datuk Pahlawan Mior Rosdi Mior Mohd Jaafar.He said that besides making it as a professional training centre for officers and men in the fields of logistics, administration and management, the new air base would also accommodate the Training Commanding Headquarters.He said that about 30 per cent of the base would be reserved as a green area to be used as training ground for the military besides for future development if necessary.Meanwhile, 847 members of the Malbatt 850-2 team who carried out the mission of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were awarded the PNBB medals.They comprised 75 officers and 772 other ranks led by Colonel Khaswadi Lahuri.Three officers and 27 members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces also received the awards.The awards were to recognise the success of the troops in carrying out the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon for 12 months beginning Sept 25 2014.(Bernama)

HQ-187 Ba Ria - Vung Tau submarine. (Photo: Thanh Phuong)VOV.VN - On 28/09, at the Admiralty Shipyards in the city of Saint Petersburg Verfi held launching ceremony of HQ-187 Ba Ria - Vung Tau submarine, the submarines of Project 636 Varshavyanka class (Kilo-NATO) of the Vietnamese Navy.HQ-187 Ba Ria - Vung Tau is the last Russia's Kilo submarines in the number six of Varshavyanka for Vietnam. Previously, Vietnam had received four Kilo submarines were: HQ-182 Hanoi, HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh, HQ-184 Hai Phong and HQ-185 Danang. The 5th - HQ-186 Khanh Hoa is undergoing running tests in the Baltic Sea.

In 2009, Russia signed a contract manufacturing and supply six modern diesel-electric submarines Varshavyanka class for $ 2 billion to the Vietnam. The contract includes training process for submarine crews as well as provide the necessary equipment.The Russsian made Submarine Project 636 Varshavyanka class of Vietnam has 3,100 tons displacement, maximum speed 20 knots / hour, can dive to 300m deep crew of 52 people. The submarine is equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes with Klub missile attack. The ability of the ship running smoothly led NATO experts call it "black holes" in the ocean.

28 September 2015

14 M-133A2 APCs carrying 76mm turrets and anti-aircraft capability and 4 APCs fitted with the 25mm RCWS will complete 6 APCs fitted with .50 caliber RCWS which come before (photo : AFP)The Philippine Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) will have the capability to deal with intruding tanks with the pending arrival of the 14 M-133A2 armored personnel carriers (APCs) carrying 76mm turrets and anti-aircraft capability with the arrival of the four armored personnel carriers (APCs) fitted with the 25mm remote-control weapon system (RCWS).This was disclosed by MID public affairs office chief Major Filemon Tan at the sidelights of the firepower and maneuver demonstrations of the six APCs fitted with the brand-new .50 caliber remote-control weapon system (RCWS) at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac on Monday.Fourteen of the 28 APCs from Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd. will be configured as fire support vehicles, equipped with fire control systems, and armed with the 76mm guns which are sourced from the decommissioned Scorpion CVRTs of the Philippine Army.“With the 76mm guns fitted to these APCs, we can now have the capability to deal with (intruding) tanks,” he said in Filipino. The APCs will also be armed with munitions capable of penetrating tank armor and neutralizing enemy troops in the field, Tan added.Four will be armed with 25mm RCWS. Aside from having large rounds and explosive capabilities, the 25mm RCWS-equipped APCs also has the range to deal with helicopters and attack aircraft.Four of 28 will be configured as armored recovery vehicles.The 28-APC order deal with Elbit Systems Ltd., worth PhP 882 million, was signed on June 22, 2014.(AngMalaya)

Model of J-31 Gyrfalcon (photo : idrw)China has unveiled an updated version of the J-31 "Gyrfalcon" fighter jet, which is expected to be marketed internationally within the next five years, reports the Beijing-based Sina Military Network.An updated model of the J-31 — a single-seat, twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation — was recently on display at the 16th China Aviation Expo in Beijing from Sept. 16-19.With a redesigned tail, the J-31's aerodynamic and stealth capabilities are said to have already surpassed most traditional fighter jets and will soon have an upgraded avionics system. Its current Russian-made RD-93 engine is also expected to be upgraded with a new version of the Chinese-made WS-13 engine in the future.(Want China Times)

Russia’s Sukhoi T-50 fifth generation prototype fighter jets will enter into service with the Russian Armed Force in 2017, Russian Air and Space Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev told reporters Saturday. (photo : Vladislav Perminov)AKHTUBINSK (Astrakhan Region)(Sputnik) — The T-50 is currently undergoing flight tests that have so far been successful, Bondarev said. Previous reports stated that the aircraft would enter into service in 2016.“Under the program, we will finish testing next year and will begin to receive the T-50 jets in 2017," Bondarev said.According to Bondarev, the aircraft fully meets the requirements.The T-50 prototype aircraft is designed by the Russian Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer for the PAK FA, a fifth-generation fighter program of the Russian Air Force.The fighter jet is expected to become the first operational stealth aircraft for the Russian Air Force and will incorporate advanced avionics and all-digital flight systems.(SputnikNews)

TLDM needs to have 50 ships, but currently only has 44 (photo : TLDM)Malaysian Navy needs more ships to improve securityKUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) will require additional assets, especially ships, in order to step up security in local waters.At the moment, six more multi-role naval vessels are needed, said Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.Speaking at a press conference during the Navy Media Day on Tuesday, he said the Navy needs to have 50 ships, but currently only has 44. Abdul Aziz explained that apart from the assets mentioned, other naval systems are at a very satisfactory level."What is lacking are only platforms to conduct patrols and surveillance," he said.(The Star)

Canberra – Lockheed Martin Australia will open a submarine combat system laboratory in Mawson Lakes in November to support the company’s pursuit of the Royal Australian Navy's Future Submarine project SEA 1000 Phase 1. Construction began at Mawson Lakes on July 27, 2015 and is expected to open in November. An expanded Phase 2 with a secure area is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2016.“A submarine’s combat system is essentially the eyes, ears and sword of the boat,” said Raydon Gates, chief executive, Lockheed Martin Australia & New Zealand. “A submarine’s tactical effectiveness depends on a fully integrated suite of the best technologies from Australia and around the world. The ability to seamlessly integrate the best sensors, sonar, radar, navigation, imagery systems and weapons will give Australia’s future submarine the tactical advantage it needs– and that is what Lockheed Martin Australia will deliver.”The laboratory includes a reconfigurable submarine command centre to test and validate the Royal Australian Navy’s concept of operations in a simulated operational environment. The laboratory will feature advanced computer processing with reconfigurable hardware, and collaboration space dedicated to bringing known and proven technologies to the next generation of Australian submarines.

Establishing a submarine combat system laboratory in parallel with early stages of submarine design leverages a key lesson learned from the success of the U.S. Navy’s Virginia class submarine program. “The philosophy we’ve adapted as the U.S. Navy’s submarine combat system integrator is one of an open business model based on the premise that no one company has all the answers,” says Raydon Gates. The laboratory will leverage Lockheed Martin’s presence and Australian industry cooperation.“The laboratory is all about risk reduction. It gives us the flexibility to work with the SEA 1000 hull designers and combat subsystem providers in every step of the process,” said Gates. “It’s a proven methodology that also reduces development costs and ensures continued interoperability with an affordable, disciplined plan for sustainment.”Lockheed Martin will collaborate with Saab Australia and Thales Australia & New Zealand in the submarine combat system architecture laboratory initiative. Collectively, Lockheed Martin, Saab and Thales have a very strong record and well-respected maritime domain knowledge and expertise.

Adam Waldie, Underwater Systems Business Development Manager, Thales Australia said “Thales has built world leading Submarine and Anti Submarine Sonar capability tailored for Australian requirement over several decades. This includes in country design, manufacture, integration and sustainment. Thales also remains focused on supporting Australia’s submarine combat system integrators and providers alike with our skills and expertise through initiatives such as the laboratory.”Saab Australia managing director Dean Rosenfield highlighted the tremendous potential of the collaboration to build the submarine combat system laboratory. “We have a highly talented engineering team and their work in naval combat systems and system integration is well regarded,” he said. We are proud to bring our expertise to the laboratory initiative that will ultimately benefit Australia’s future submarine program.The laboratory capitalises on Lockheed Martin’s heritage of more than 40 years of demonstrated submarine combat systems integration methodology on submarines for seven nations. Lockheed Martin is a full life cycle combat system integrator with expertise in all phases of design, test, integration, certification, delivery and sustainment.For additional information on systems integration, visit our website.(Lockheed Martin)

26 September 2015

Aselsan 30 mm MUHAFIZ/SMASH Remote Controlled Stabilized Naval Gun System (photo : Aselsan)Aselsan has exported the first weapon system to MalaysiaAselsan made its first arms system export to Southeast Asia. According to the company statement, under an agreement signed with a company resident in Malaysia, 30 mm MUHAFIZ/SMASH Remote Controlled Stabilized Naval Gun System will be integrated into the 44-meter boat belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Currently, the Turkish Naval Forces Command, Coast Guard Command, Land Forces and Police Headquarters is located ASELSAN Remote Controlled Weapon Systems in its inventory, it was preferred by Turkey as well as 10 country’s Armed Forces.These agreements, its importance in terms of being the first weapon system exports to Southeast Asia which carried by ASELSAN.

J-20 equipped with the PL-10 air-to-air missile (photo : Want China Times)China had completed the 30th test of its fifth-generation short-range air-to-air missile, the PL-10, developed for various advanced fighters of the People's Liberation Army according to Jane's Defence Weekly on Sept. 20.Designed by Luoyang Electro-Optical Research Institute, the missile was seen being carried by a J-20 stealth fighter for the first time in a photograph posted to a Chinese website back in 2013. This indicates that China's first domestic fifth-generation stealth fighter is capable of firing the missile in future aerial warfare. Later on, the missile was seen on the wingtip of a J-11 fourth-generation fighter as the report said.Liang Xiaogeng, the deputy chief designer of the PL-10 said in a Chinese television interview that this new missile is fitted with a multi-element imaging infrared seeker with anti-jamming capabilities. With super maneuverability, the PL-10 is capable of launching high off-boresight attacks. The television interview for the first time ever gave the details of the PL-10 missile since the beginning of its development seven years ago.The PL-10 has an attack range of 20 kilometers. It has a weight of 89 kilograms and a length of 3 meters. The prototype of PL-10 was completed in 2013. Since then, it has been test-fired 30 times by various fighters of the PLA Air Force and navy. Photos taken in 2013 indicate that the PL-10 uses thrust vectoring vanes in its motor exhaust. A new helmet-mounted display may be used by this new weapon system as well.(Want China Times)

The Amphibious Ready Element on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra during Sea Series 2015. (all photos : Aus DoD)The Australian Defence Force is testing its newest amphibious capability ahead of the upcoming cyclone season.

Exercise SEA RAIDER in Far North Queensland involves some 1400 troops embarked in HMAS Canberra with medium lift helicopters, landing craft and small boats, trucks, troop carriers and other vehicles.

Conducted by the Brisbane based Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, under command of Major General Stuart Smith, Exercise SEA RAIDER is supported by HMAS Stuart, Air Force assets and Commando forces as well as other Government agencies.

The ADF works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as the lead agency for Australian Government responses to overseas emergencies.

MAJGEN Smith said inter-agency exercises were designed to help the ADF and DFAT work together efficiently and cooperatively in a crisis.

“This amphibious force has been tested in scenarios that reflect tasks the Australian Government may direct in response to local and regional emergencies,” he said.

“We have now come to the third and most testing phase of the Sea Series – Exercise SEA RAIDER. The exercise is a rehearsal for future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions as well as civilian evacuations across a broad landscape with support from colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” CAPT Bannister said.

“I have every confidence that the team will rise to the complex challenges of the final exercise of Sea Series 15.”